Fender Cover Recommendation

[mercifiknow]

Can someone recommend a fender cover that won't scratch the paint (or at least minimize it)? would like to be to set wrenches, sockets, etc. on it but not an requirement. Just need paint protection and staying on the fender.

Thanks!

 

[unslow1]

I have a lot of fender covers that I don't like. On my really nice cars I use yoga mats because they don't move around and you can buy any size cheap. Other than those I really haven't found any I like.

edit: I just searched Google and don't see what I bought. Mine are probably 3/16 thick square foam pattern. I paid about $10 each for large ones.


They look like these but a little thinner.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[Skyman]

Check with Summit and Jegs. I bought a set from Summit that's decent.

 

[racer1735]

I use a Griot's Garage fender cover with good results. Made from a combo of fleece and microfiber. Strong magnets in each corner hold it to your vehicle pretty well (unless you have a non-metal car such as a Corvette).

 

[geneg]

I use a Griot's Garage fender cover with good results. Made from a combo of fleece and microfiber. Strong magnets in each corner hold it to your vehicle pretty well (unless you have a non-metal car such as a Corvette).

Sad thing is that great fender covers were given away as promotional items, Check out the prices that they are now getting on the onlne auction site. I still have a few vintage ones, but a large towel works pretty well. Basically just to prevent scuffs or dirt. I don't lean or climb on them. A yoga mat cut in half also works. Menards had them free with rebate awhile ago.

 

[Fedwrench]

I like this one from OEM Tools. Although it's now like four times what I paid for mine several years ago. Soft fleece, removable magnets, washable.

OEMTOOLS 24899 Soft Fleece Fender Cover

OEMTOOLS 24899 Soft Fleece Fender Cover

www.mobiledistributorsupply.com

Second favorite would the cloth ones provided by uniform companies. Soft, easily secured to car with binder clips.
Cheapest option, buy a few of those Harbor Freight moving blankets when they're on sale. Wash them a few times to soften them up. At about $4 a blanket makes them almost disposable.

Personally, I try not to place tools in an open engine compartment to prevent loss, damage, accidents. A small two shelf cart I roll close to where I'm working it where the tools in use, parts removed, and new parts hang out. Good luck in your quest

 

[unslow1]

Sad thing is that great fender covers were given away as promotional items, Check out the prices that they are now getting on the onlne auction site. I still have a few vintage ones, but a large towel works pretty well. Basically just to prevent scuffs or dirt. I don't lean or climb on them. A yoga mat cut in half also works. Menards had them free with rebate awhile ago.

They are currently $6 at Menards. I think that is where I got mine but it's been a few years.

 

[LG63]

I came across some 3/32 thick polyethylene foam that works well as semi reusable cover. It’s cushioning foam like used to protect appliances and furniture during shipping. I use blue painters tape to hold it in place.

The only problem is I got the foam as remnant material and I’ve never found a source for anything similar. Lowes sells 24” wide foam but I think it’s only 1/16 thick.

 

[mercifiknow]

Thanks everyone! Great choices! Prices not great though. I was shocked to see the prices. Not sure how the CEO’s can keep a straight face when selling them.

 

[swsman]

If you go to JBTools, clearance section they have OEM vinyl ones for $5.99, recently I bought two.
Not something I use often, sure it will come handy down the road, since I maintain a total of 4 vehicles.

Link:

OEMTOOLS Vinyl Fender Cover, 27"x34" Acid-Resistant (24902)

Protect your vehicle with the OEMTOOLS 27"x34" Vinyl Fender Cover (24902). Durable, acid-resistant, and designed for maximum coverage.

www.jbtools.com

 

[JSGAuto]

I second the soft OEM tools one.

The magnets are useless on an aluminum bodied car (or truck) thou. It could use some Velcro straps.

https://www.amazon.com/OEMTOOLS-24899-Fleece-Fender-Cover/dp/B00LCEVJGM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[99Mike]

Fender Gripper

https://www.holley.com/brands/fender_gripper/

 

[kbuhagiar]

If you go to JBTools, clearance section they have OEM vinyl ones for $5.99, recently I bought two.
Not something I use often, sure it will come handy down the road, since I maintain a total of 4 vehicles.

Link:

OEMTOOLS Vinyl Fender Cover, 27"x34" Acid-Resistant (24902)

Protect your vehicle with the OEMTOOLS 27"x34" Vinyl Fender Cover (24902). Durable, acid-resistant, and designed for maximum coverage.

www.jbtools.com

This one ^^^ is most similar to the classic traditional Holley fender protector I've owned and used for almost fifty years:



Waaayyy better that the 'soft' covers, IMHO, as the foam rubber backing tends to keep it from slipping.
And, for what it's worth, I only use it as a shield to prevent whatever I may be wearing from scratching the paint, NOT as a tool holder.

 

[zmotorsports]

I have used the standard tri-fold ones for decades and they work ok. They're just the cheapo ones that some places would give away with their logo on them. I only use them now on harsh jobs as they do clean off nice with a little degreaser or brake wash.


On really nice painted vehicles I use these cloth ones that I bought about 20 years ago. Can't remember where I bought them, but I just wash them occasionally and they work well. My only complaint is they slide off too much and I don't want to use magnets on the paint. They stay put relatively well when I can stuff them down in between components and wedge them in place. They wash up very nicely as well. They're relatively inexpensive but I cannot remember where I purchased them from.





I purchased a couple of these Snap-on weighted ones a few years ago and really like them. They seem to stay put the best of any of my protective fender covers. They are soft on the backside to protect the paint, and the weighted areas conform slightly but work best if you can place them down behind a core support or something similar.



These days the two above are about the only ones I routinely use.

 

[AEAdam]

Just a thought. I've had this craftsman one for probably 30yrs. It isn't super soft or sticky (maybe if I cleaned it) so it does tend to slip off. But 2 things I really like about it:
1) NOT BLACK. Black is bad. It hides grease and grime and lets you telegraph it everywhere. Don't choose black stuff so it doesn't look dirty. Choose any other color so you can see and clean the dirt. That ****** piece of paper mechanics put in our cars is really just BS. Please be clean when you get in my car, touch my pedals, handle my steering wheel etc.

2) I Like the little seams (you can see in the picture) to hold tools. I haven't seen that feature on others in this thread. That's a pretty thoughtful design.


(I took this picture to show the roll cart outside on a nice day and close to the job at hand. Don't recall why I needed a hammer! Might have been to take out my frustration on this Durango, which has been constant problems. I guess I shouldn't complain. Its a dodge with 150k miles on it).

 

[Steve_P]

Personally, I try not to place tools in an open engine compartment to prevent loss, damage, accidents. A small two shelf cart I roll close to where I'm working it where the tools in use, parts removed, and new parts hang out. Good luck in your quest

30 years ago I worked with a young guy that worked in an auto repair shop prior; he had the habit of setting tools on top of the engine (air cleaner, etc) while working. He said that if his boss walked by, he'd grab those tools and toss them on the floor. Needless to say, he got out of that bad habit quickly.

Not long after that, I replaced a timing belt on my car the day before a long trip. One of the cover bolts needed a tap ran thru it for whatever reason. I drove 990 miles the next day and got to the destination; while filling up with gas, I open the hood to check the oil, and there's an M6 tap on the inner fender, the flat portion where it bolts to the body- the hood kept it in place over ~1000 miles. After that, I stopped doing stupid **** like this; at worst I use a shallow plastic kitchen utensil bin that small tools temporarily go into until they go onto the table.